From the release of sports romance sensation Heated Rivalry to the controversy surrounding the U.S. men’s and women’s hockey teams at the 2026 Winter Olympics, ice hockey is having a moment.
If you’re new to the sport, the National Hockey League (NHL) is the top professional hockey league in North America. It comprises 32 teams and is divided into two conferences: the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. Each conference is further split into two divisions.
The NHL Playoffs are a postseason tournament where the top teams from each division compete in a bracket-style format. Teams face off in a best-of-seven series, meaning the first team to win four games advances to the next round. The final round determines who wins the Stanley Cup, the oldest existing trophy awarded to a professional sports franchise in North America.
Whether you’re a seasoned fan or a newbie excited to learn more about the sport, here’s my guide to the 2026 NHL Playoffs!
The teams
Pacific Division
One-half of the Western Conference, the Pacific Division, was won by the Vegas Golden Knights. Despite being a newer addition to the division, the Knights already have a Stanley Cup win under their belt. They’ve reached the playoffs in eight of the nine seasons they’ve played and are a force to be reckoned with. The Edmonton Oilers grabbed the second spot, led by their captain and generational talent, Connor McDavid. The Anaheim Ducks made their way into third, making their first playoff appearance in eight years. Lastly, the Los Angeles Kings secured the final spot as a wild card and will face off against the winner of the Central Division, the Colorado Avalanche.
Central Division
Not only did the Colorado Avalanche win their division, but the team also finished with the Presidents’ Trophy, meaning they had the best overall record in the NHL. They finished with a franchise-record 121 points, making them a clear Stanley Cup favorite. They are followed by the Dallas Stars, the Minnesota Wild, and the Utah Mammoth. In only their second season in the NHL, the Mammoth have made it to the postseason and will fight to see it through.
Metro Division
The Metro Division might have fewer sensational headlines, but the teams are strong. The Carolina Hurricanes finished in the top spot, while the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers tied for second. Despite tying with 98 points each, the Penguins secured home-ice advantage for their series because they have more regular-season wins. No team from the Metro Division earned a wild-card spot, making the division a bit calmer than the others, with only three competitors.
Atlantic Division
Last but certainly not least is the Atlantic Division, which includes five teams, since both the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators secured the Eastern wild-card spots. The Buffalo Sabres came out on top, while the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens will face off in a rematch of their 2021 Stanley Cup Final. With the most teams, this division is stacked and likely to stir up some drama.
first round matchups
Eastern Conference
Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Ottawa Senators
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Western Conference
Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings
Dallas Stars vs. Minnesota Wild
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Utah Mammoth
Edmonton Oilers vs. Anaheim Ducks
players to know
If you’d like a few names to yell at your TV (and to pretend you’ve been locked in this entire season), here are five standout players. Oilers captain Connor McDavid finished the regular season leading the NHL in points. He was followed closely by the Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov. Both are unrelenting offensive players sure to light up the scoreboard.
Coming in third was Avalanche captain Nathan MacKinnon, who will lead one of the favored teams to win the 2026 Stanley Cup. Jack Eichel of the Vegas Golden Knights helped his team secure a late lead in the Pacific Division, and Montreal Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobeš will work to fend off the Lightning’s shots.
storylines to follow
To wrap things up, there are two prominent storylines at the front of everyone’s mind. Anže Kopitar has played for the Los Angeles Kings for 21 seasons and has been captain for the last 10. In what could be his final season, fans are hopeful the team will secure an emotional final win. However, the Kings face off against the favored Colorado Avalanche, making for a difficult matchup.
Connor McDavid is widely considered one of the best hockey players in the world. Despite this title, he has yet to secure a Stanley Cup win. The Oilers made the Finals in 2024 and returned to the playoffs in 2025, but have yet to finish on top. If alternate captain Leon Draisaitl has recovered well from his regular-season injury, this team is sure to bring relentless determination.
I come from a hockey family; it’s hands down my favorite sport, and I truly believe there’s nothing like watching a hockey game. Whether you’re a lifelong fan like myself or someone newly introduced to the sport, these playoffs are sure to be entertaining. Here’s to the next two months of hockey!